When the Philadelphia Eagles hoisted the Lombardi Trophy eight years ago, tight end Dallas Goedert wasn't in the NFL just yet.
The South Dakota State product had begun his rookie draft process and was hoping to go to a team that could value his overall skill set as a good blocker and pass catcher.
Philadelphia Eagles tight end Dallas Goedert (88) reacts to his touchdown against the Green Bay Packers in an NFC wild card game.
Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
As the then-defending champions, Philadelphia opted to draft Goedert in the second round of the following draft - an attempt to add another playmaker to their dominant team.
As he now prepares for his second Super Bowl with the organization since watching that win on the couch, Goedert is more reflective now than ever.
“I remember watching them win it,” Goedert said. “It was cool. I was rooting for them. It was an awesome game and to be drafted here right after that, my initial thoughts were I’m gonna win a lot of these things.
“The way the team talked about it when I got here, making the playoffs, making a little bit of a run my rookie year, it seemed like it was an expectation to get there. To be able to make two in seven years is pretty special, but as a rookie, I thought I was gonna be there that year.”
"Cool'' is a good 1-word way to describe the moment here.
In seven seasons with the Birds, Goedert has caught 349 passes for just over 4,000 yards and 24 touchdowns. Injuries have kept him from reaching his full potential, but he remains a key part of the team's success.
And if they have any shot of winning a second Super Bowl in team history, the Eagles know they'll need their tight end more than ever.
Especially in another full circle moment.
